I finished the little bag I was working on the other day…and I absolutely love it! It is the perfect size–not too big, but big enough for all the essentials. Best of all, I made this bag with scraps from my stash…some of them were pretty small, too! I even had the cute buttons in my button box; the zipper was my only purchase. The annual shop hop is coming up, and I’ll be sporting this bag! Now I’d like to document some things about the space I create in. Consider these “before” pictures…because one of these days I’m really going to get organized. Part of the problem is that I’ve been sewing since I was ten (and now I’m forty something); I’m neat and organized in most all areas of my life (and home)–but I just never have been able to give fabric away (unless it is in the form of a quilt or other gift). Someday I plan on making lots of quilts to give away with the fabrics that I’ve “out-grown.” Some of this stash is in plastic bins and drawers, semi-sorted by color.
A lot of my newer fabrics I keep sorted by line until I use them in a project–then I’m likely to sort by color. This is probably my biggest problem with fabric organization–I procrastinate sorting my scraps by color after I’ve made a project or two. Also, I wonder if I should keep all the larger pieces together and keep smaller pieces in a separate area, thus having two places for each color…what do you do? I also have several plastic boxes where I keep works-in-progress and block of the month quilts.
Some fabrics are out in the open in an oak bookcase. I fold pieces that are ½ yard and larger around a 6 ½″ ruler, then fold in half. Matching charm packs or jelly rolls go on top. You can see how eclectic my tastes run, as I have my “Cotton Blossoms” stash right next to my “Dolly Dresses” fabrics (oh, and there’s some “Swell” fabrics underneath the “Dolly Dresses”).
In another corner of the room I have a built in bookshelf and cupboard. The top three shelves hold my Nancy Drew books and some of my older daughter’s favorite books. On the lower three shelves I have the majority of my quilting books and patterns. I also have quite a few quilting magazines. Some magazines I keep indefinitely, but the others I sort periodically, removing patterns I want to make and filing them in binders with plastic sheet protectors. I have some fabrics in the lower cupboard…but this is one area I need to organize better.
Here is my back-up machine which is also super lightweight and great for traveling. My little collection of thread has grown by leaps and bounds since I began doing some machine applique about a year ago…I use Aurifil in very basic colors for most all of my piecing and use the colored threads for top-stitching and machine applique’.
I’ve only had a sewing room for a little over a year (since my older daughter went to college). I’ve always sewn on the dining room table or in a corner of my bedroom, so it’s quite a treat for me to finally have a room just for sewing. My daughter had this quote on the wall, and I’ve left it up; I love the quote as well–it helps me remember to focus on the important things. My cutting table–this is about as clean as it gets–becomes pretty loaded with projects in various stages of completion!
And finally, my sewing machine; this one is also a Janome. I purchased it back in 1997 and have never had a single problem with it! I love having my machine right in front of the window because the lighting is so terrific during the day. For night sewing I have an Ott light and another lamp I use. The quilt table doesn’t really go with the machine, but it works well enough…one of these days I’d like a nice custom sewing table. Some quilts that need their bindings sewn on are stacked on the baskets below the sewing table (and of course there is fabric in both baskets).
I hope this post didn’t bore you–I just thought I’d like to take some pictures of my little space; someday when I really get organized, I’ll have the “before” and “after” pictures!
A lot of my newer fabrics I keep sorted by line until I use them in a project–then I’m likely to sort by color. This is probably my biggest problem with fabric organization–I procrastinate sorting my scraps by color after I’ve made a project or two. Also, I wonder if I should keep all the larger pieces together and keep smaller pieces in a separate area, thus having two places for each color…what do you do? I also have several plastic boxes where I keep works-in-progress and block of the month quilts.
Some fabrics are out in the open in an oak bookcase. I fold pieces that are ½ yard and larger around a 6 ½″ ruler, then fold in half. Matching charm packs or jelly rolls go on top. You can see how eclectic my tastes run, as I have my “Cotton Blossoms” stash right next to my “Dolly Dresses” fabrics (oh, and there’s some “Swell” fabrics underneath the “Dolly Dresses”).
In another corner of the room I have a built in bookshelf and cupboard. The top three shelves hold my Nancy Drew books and some of my older daughter’s favorite books. On the lower three shelves I have the majority of my quilting books and patterns. I also have quite a few quilting magazines. Some magazines I keep indefinitely, but the others I sort periodically, removing patterns I want to make and filing them in binders with plastic sheet protectors. I have some fabrics in the lower cupboard…but this is one area I need to organize better.
Here is my back-up machine which is also super lightweight and great for traveling. My little collection of thread has grown by leaps and bounds since I began doing some machine applique about a year ago…I use Aurifil in very basic colors for most all of my piecing and use the colored threads for top-stitching and machine applique’.
I’ve only had a sewing room for a little over a year (since my older daughter went to college). I’ve always sewn on the dining room table or in a corner of my bedroom, so it’s quite a treat for me to finally have a room just for sewing. My daughter had this quote on the wall, and I’ve left it up; I love the quote as well–it helps me remember to focus on the important things. My cutting table–this is about as clean as it gets–becomes pretty loaded with projects in various stages of completion!
And finally, my sewing machine; this one is also a Janome. I purchased it back in 1997 and have never had a single problem with it! I love having my machine right in front of the window because the lighting is so terrific during the day. For night sewing I have an Ott light and another lamp I use. The quilt table doesn’t really go with the machine, but it works well enough…one of these days I’d like a nice custom sewing table. Some quilts that need their bindings sewn on are stacked on the baskets below the sewing table (and of course there is fabric in both baskets).
I hope this post didn’t bore you–I just thought I’d like to take some pictures of my little space; someday when I really get organized, I’ll have the “before” and “after” pictures! Happy sewing!
The Demanding Doll says
Your purse is cute, cute, cute!
I’ve been on an organizing binge too and have been refolding fabrics to fit cabinets I bought from Target. They’re on sale this week so I will buy one more.
I have my 1/3 yard and up together, then under 1/3 yd together, and finally small strings, triangles, etc. together all separated by colors.
I know what you mean about fabric choices. Mine run from country to brights to sugary. Whatever pops my post toasties at the time. 🙂
And congrats on getting a sewing room. Isn’t it wonderful?
ferne says
Your sewing area and storage systems are so much like mine. I don’t have a room yet though still sewing at the kitchen table. I also have a Janome I bought only a year ago and have been sewing a lot since because I love this machine. I have a DC 3050. I am thinking of sorting my fabrics by size also or at least have a bin for the really small stuff, like under 5″. I also have been aquiring Charm packs and they have a home of their own too only they are quickly out growing that…guess that means I should use them! Thanks for sharing…I haven’t been that brave yet.
Darlene says
Thank you for the tour of your space and of course I had to write down the quote on the wall. Perfect! Your space is very similar to mine and like you I can’t part with my fabric – big pieces or scraps. LOL
The bag is adorable – you’ll look adorable during the shop hop. 🙂
quilterpolly says
love your purse:) how fun to have a sewing room:) Enjoy it:) I love your stencil above the window:)
Dawn says
Your bag is darling! You’ve been busy.
Kris says
Hello,
Love the bag. I have made one from Pink Penguins demo too, and I love it. I would love to know the dimensions with which you made your most recent bag. Thanks
kris
Stephanie says
Well you look pretty organized to me. Right now I’m stepping over piles and I have my own sewing room! I have my own organizing “system” which really makes no sense to anyone but me. It’s sort of by color but I do keep fabrics together that I buy for specific projects.
I am very able to donate scraps or fabric I don’t love any more. I keep a large shopping bag handy and when it’s full I donate to a friend who makes charity quilts.
Carrie P. says
Your entry today was not boring at all. I like seeing the quilt studios of others. It gives me ideas for my own room.
Joy says
I love having a room to sew in but looking around it now I think my job for today is definitely to tidy my sewing room LOL. I have so many projects on the go at one time … I need some organisation!!
Love your bag for the shop hop, very cute :o).
Terry says
That bag is so cute! I love it! Your sewing room actually looks pretty organized to me! I have a corner of the living room to sew in and my fabric is everywhere in that corner. The rest is in the basement in plastic tubs. I dream of the day when I can have an actual sewing room! :0)
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
What would we do without our Ott lights? Lovely room to work in. You deserve it. It is fun to have a place to start a project and leave it out. I used to sew in the kitchen too. Maybe I told you that already? I’m getting old. The pictures are all wonderful though. I enjoyed each tid bit.
Peg - Happy In Quilting says
Love your bag Sherri..and “your space” wow….looks ever so comfortable.
Kris says
Hi Sherri,
I just went back and really looked at your sewing room. It reminds me a lot of mine. And now I want to do a post on my sewing space. But right now, my Grandson is asleep in there. I keep a crib on one wall for the grandbabies. I have 3.
Great post!
Terriaw says
What a cute little purse! I love that is has a zipper so your stuff doesn’t fall out if it tips over. Some of my fabric “organization” is similar to yours. I find it hard to sort by color when you want to keep a new collection together. Isn’t it fun having lots of projects going at the same time? Thanks for sharing!
Karen says
I love your space. I wish I had a space for my stuff. Right now most of it is spread out on the kitchen table or in the computer room.
Karen in IN
Red Geranium Cottage says
Loved seeing your workspace. Looks neat to me. Dont you love having your own room for sewing. Nothing is better!!!!
Red Geranium Cottage says
Forgot to say love the new bag you made. Very cute.
Chookyblue...... says
wish I could get MY space organised but it is the dining room and when we have people it all gets packed up in the corner and usually rushed so I have a total mess with it all……..yours looks pretty good……..